Brussels, 27/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - Although the meetings of the E3+3 and Iran on 26-27 February do not seem to have brought about significant progress on the Iranian nuclear issue, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and the chief Iranian negotiator, Said Jalili, have announced that the technical experts will meet in Istanbul on 18 March, with the political leaders of the E3+3 meeting again in Almaty on 5-6 April. Jalili said that the experts are due to assess how the reciprocal initiatives must be made in order for them to be balanced. In Ashton's view, the meeting between the experts is important because it is an occasion for the Iranians to make a detailed examination of the E3+3 proposal with the experts. “It will then be for Iran to give us their response to the proposals. And that will take place during the next political meeting, where of course it will be about trying to reach those tangible results for the future”.
The proposal was presented in detail by Ashton at the first plenary session on 26 February. In a press release, Ashton said that the E3+3 offer seems to be a “balanced and a fair basis for constructive talks”, but she did not give any more detail on the proposal. She added that “the offer addresses international concerns on the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme, but is also responsive to Iranian ideas”. “I hope that the Iranian side will look at the offer we have made them positively. This proposal aims to establish confidence and to enable us to make progress for a diplomatic solution”, Ashton said at a press conference.
In Jalili's view, the members of the E3+3 have “tried to bring their positions closer to those of Iran on certain points, which we think is positive”.
According to various sources, the E3+3 proposal apparently contains the possibility of relaxing sanctions if Tehran stops its 20% uranium enrichment at the Fordou site. Sanctions on gold and precious metals could be lifted. And although, according to some sources, sanctions on the petro-chemical industry and certain measures on banks could be lifted, it has not been proposed to suspend financial sanctions on oil. Jalili once again refused to close Fordou, believing that it would be pointless as the site is legal and under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency. He added that Iran has the right to enrich uranium.
The negotiations, which began on 26 February with a three-hour plenary session, were prolonged on Wednesday 27 February by a political meeting lasting just over an hour. (CG/transl.fl)